While the first iteration of the “Dungeons & Dragons” role-playing game came out in 1974, I honestly didn’t become familiar with the concepts or their cultural impacts on the video games I played until I was in high school.
That being said, I also only had vague recollections of an animated series once upon a time, and other science fiction references.
However, with more friends playing the game and more publicity for “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” I found myself excited to catch this flick on the big screen.
While there are plenty of computer graphics for the monsters and magic wielded there are still practical effects and an amazing cast.
Plus, I was surprised to find so much heart at the center of the story versus the usual “good vs. bad” storyline mold.
The characters are not quite heroes, but also not wholly villainous and lend themselves to being easier to relate to with their audiences.
Thieves is a fantasy heist action comedy film directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, who co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Gilio from a story by Chris McKay and Gilio.
The film stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Daisy Head, Justice Smith, and Hugh Grant.
The movie is 134 minutes long and rated PG-13 for fantasy action/violence and some language.
Prior to being imprisoned, bard Edgin Darvis (Pine) spent years as a member of the Harpers, an order of peacekeepers, until his wife was killed by a Red Wizard he had antagonized.
Accompanied by barbarian Holga Kilgore (Rodriguez), Edgin attempted to make a new life for himself and his daughter Kira (Coleman) by turning to theft.
He ends up forming a team with amateur sorcerer Simon Aumar (Smith) and rogue Forge Fitzwilliam (Grant), as well the latter’s mysterious acquaintance Sofina (Head).
While raiding a Harper stronghold, Edgin attempted to steal a tablet of resurrection in order to bring his wife back to life, but he and Holga were captured while their accomplices escaped.
Two years later, the two escape their prison and learn that Forge has become the Lord of Neverwinter after the prior lord became mysteriously incapacitated.
Forge has been taking care of Kira and has convinced her that Edgin’s greed and selfishness led to his arrest by claiming that the tablet was a tablet of enrichment, not resurrection.
Sofina is revealed to be a Red Wizard and that good old Forge deliberately orchestrated their capture.
Sofina attempts to have Edgin and Holga executed, but they escape and decide to rob Forge’s vault and bring Kira home with them during the upcoming High Sun Games at the stadium.
They also claim that they need the tablet to prove their reasons for committing the original crime.
The gladiatorial games had previously been banned, but Forge had reinstituted them, promising that the games would bring in tourists and money.
Edgin and Holga track down Simon to help and he suggests also recruiting Doric (Lillis), a tiefling druid, who once rejected him romantically.
Naturally, the thieves endure a few more twists and turns on their road to saving Kira and clearing their names but it’s an enjoyable road!
Plus, you can’t beat the sight of a huge dragon tobogganing down a bridge to gobble up foolish beings that are unlucky enough to get in the way.
Overall, Thieves has earned its place at the top of the movie mountain for now and I fully encourage checking it out!
